Media Releases

Seven people, including the former V/Line CEO and a former manager at Metro Trains, have been charged as part of the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission's (IBAC) investigation into serious corrupt conduct in V/Line and Metro's tendering and procurement processes, known as Operation Esperance.

As a result of the Operation Esperance investigation:

• Former CEO of V/Line has been charged with four charges of misconduct in public office, four charges of receiving secret commissions, and one charge of conspiracy to solicit secret commissions.
• Former Head of Fleet Operational Support at Metro Trains has been charged with one charge of receiving secret commissions and one charge of conspiracy to solicit secret commissions.
• A Transclean director has been charged with three charges of giving secret commissions and two charges of conspiracy to give secret commissions; and another Transclean director has been charged with conspiracy to give secret commissions.
• A Transclean staff member has been charged with one charge of conspiracy to give secret commissions and another Transclean staff member has been charged with one charge of giving secret commissions and one charge of conspiracy to attempt to pervert the course of justice.
• Lawyer to a Transclean staff member has been charged with one charge of conspiracy to attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The first court appearance will be in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 21 December 2022.

IBAC is Victoria's agency responsible for preventing and exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct. IBAC's jurisdiction covers state and local government, police, parliament and the judiciary.

Editors please note: As this matter is now before the Court, no further comment will be provided.